Wellness Tips & Cancer Prevention

The most important steps you can take to control and protect your health are also some of the best tips for preventing cancer. These two top the list:

• Avoid tobacco in all forms. If you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, or use chewing tobacco, stop! If you don't smoke or chew, don't start!
• Lose weight! Obesity contributes to poor overall health and may directly influence certain cancers.

Cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals, over 60 of which cause cancer.

Others tips:

• Protect your skin by using sunscreen, protective clothing, and limiting exposure during peak daylight hours. (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• Consume food and alcohol in moderation, and strive for a balanced diet that includes whole grains (fiber), fruits, and vegetables.
• Work toward a balanced daily schedule that includes exercise and enough sleep.
• Know your family history - Become aware of any cancers that might run in your family.
• While all cancers cannot be prevented, most cancers have certain physical properties that allow a screening program to reveal them while they are the most treatable.

Consider Free Health Screening opportunities available at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center.

Tobacco Cessation

Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, as part of LSU Health Shreveport, has partnered with the LSUHSC School of Public Health and the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco Free Living (TFL) to provide tobacco cessation services to patients, hospital employees, and local communities. Cessation services are facilitated by the Tobacco Control Initiative, which provides evidence-based interventions that are cost effective, appropriate, and acceptable to patients.

Health care providers can refer patients using the Tobacco Control Initiative's Outpatient Tobacco Cessation Referral form. Referred patients are offered the following cessation treatment options:

• medication assistance (e.g. Nicotine patch, Chantix, and Wellbutrin) at a free or reduced cost for qualified patients
• facilitated access to the Louisiana Quit-Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW) for free telephone counseling
• group behavioral counseling class
• self-help materials for patients interested in quitting on their own

When available, Tobacco Cessation classes are in the Partners in Wellness Conference Room at University Health, on the second floor above the emergency room on the corner of Kings Highway and Linwood Avenue.

For information call 318.813.2231 or e-mail JGreen2@lsuhsc.edu.

Print and fax Tobacco Control Initiative outpatient referral form to 318.813.2238.

Reduce your risk